Refugees of Iraq
The Iraqi invasion of Iran in 1980 and the ensuing Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) triggered a deterioration of ties among the country's various ethnic and religious communities, and also exacerbated in violent events like the Ba'athist Arabization campaigns in northern Iraq (1968–2003), which led to the killing and displacement of thousands of minorities.[5][7] As of 2024[update], Iraq is experiencing relative stability, but still faces significant humanitarian, development needs, and security challenges.In 2024, the UNHCR enhanced the transitioning from emergency response to a longer-term development approach, emphasizing durable solutions and strengthening national systems to provide essential services like child protection and aid and assistance against gender-based violence.Saddam Hussein regained control of the Shia dominated South in mid-March, and his cousin, Ali Hasan Majid, conducted public executions, bombarded city centers, and destroyed homes and mosques.As a result of this formal political leadership, the revolution in the Kurdish north was much less violent than in the Shi’ite South, and produced relatively few refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).About 450,000 Kurds fled to the mountains bordering Turkey and Iran, and the Hussein government had retaken control of the main Kurdish cities by April 3, 1991.In response to the humanitarian crisis, the US tried to station unarmed aid workers in northern Iraq, but the Kurds refused to return.[20] Many IDPs face difficult conditions, and due to continued instability and lack of resource are unlikely to be able to go home in coming months.[21] There is a need to address the elderly, disabled population, and disadvantaged families through physical, mental, and social support to help them return to Iraq once the war ends and conditions are stabilized.[5] Current regional host countries include Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Iran, small numbers in Iraq, the Gulf States, and Turkey.In 1951-1952, the Israeli government clandestinely orchestrated the Operation Ezra and Nehemiah, during which almost the entire Jewish community was rescued, and initially settled in temporary refugee camps in Israel.[5] In 2006, Jordan excluded single men and boys between age 17-35 from entering, then required all Iraqis produce a newly issued passport.[5] Most refugees in Jordan lack legal status and stay hidden for fear of deportation, making aid efforts difficult.[22] Early in the recent Iraq war, Iraqis in Syria were the politically threatened Baath party, including supporters of Hussein's government.[22] Syria once maintained an open border for Arab migrants, and entitled Iraqi refugees to Syrian health care and schools.Tens of thousands of Iraqi families traveled back to their original country, although Iraq is itself unstable, and sectarian bomb attacks occur there almost daily.The UN refugee agency said Iraqis in the mainly Shia Damascus suburb of Sayeda Zeinab were fleeing not only increasing violence but "targeted threats" against them.The attacks reflect the sectarian nature of Syria's war, In which opposition mostly from the country's Sunni majority has risen up against the government of Syrian President Assad.Though Baghdad has publicly vowed not to become involved with Syria's war, skeptics believe it is at least helping Iran ship weapons and reinforcements to Assad's government.[7] Like in other Middle Eastern host countries, Iraqi refugees in Lebanon face the negative effects of unemployment and poverty as they cannot obtain work visas.[36] Kristele Younes of Refugees International supported these moves towards resettlement, but she said that "the numbers remain low compared to what the needs are.[14] Of the refugees' status, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy (Massachusetts) said, "We can’t solve the problem alone, but we obviously bear a heavy responsibility for the crisis.[38] Iraqis can be referred by the UNHCR, a US embassy, some NGOs, the US government, a US contractor, a US media organization, eligible family members in the US, and the US military.[38][39] USCIS officers interview Iraqi refugees in Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, and Iraq, and have not been able to work in Syria since March 2011.[5][38][39] Refugees in America are usually settled in small towns rather than big cities because they receive community support that helps them navigate their new life.[40] According to the List Project, led by Kirk W. Johnson, "Poland, which had approximately 2,500 troops at its peak, was scheduled to withdraw its forces from Iraq by October 2008.Building on the successful precedent set by Denmark and the eventual British airlift, the Polish government offered all of their Iraqi employees either full resettlement or a one-time payment of $40,000 if they remained in Iraq.[46] Between October 2003 and March 2005 alone, 36% of 700,000 Iraqis who fled to Syria were Assyrians and other Christians, judging from a sample of those registering for asylum on political or religious grounds.The UNHCR appealed to Israel to allow this particular group of refugees admission into the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank.[54] On September 18, 2007, the UNHCR, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and WFP launched an appeal for $84.8 million to help host countries meet health and nutrition needs of Iraqi refugees.
Iraqi KurdsTurkeyOperation Provide ComfortGulf Warflight of Iraqi KurdsIraqi invasion of IranIran–Iraq WarBa'athist Arabization campaigns in northern IraqIraqi invasion of KuwaitUnited Nations sanctionsIraqi conflict2003 invasion of IraqIraq WarinternallyWar in IraqArab countriesMiddle Eastrefugees of the Syrian civil warchild protectiongender-based violenceKurdish refugeesKuwaitDesert StormShi'asSaddam HusseinPalestiniansShia uprising in March 1991Patriotic Union of KurdistanKurdistan Democratic PartyInternally Displaced PersonsBush administrationnorthern no-fly zoneAmadiyaGeorge H.W BushGeorge W. BushIraqi Civil War (2006–2008)al-Askari mosque bombingAntónio GuterresUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugeesinternally displacedcivil warcollaboratorsUnited StatesOxfam Internationalrefugee campsIraqi Jews in IsraelFarhudJewish refugeesKingdom of Iraqindependence of IsraelOperation Ezra and Nehemiahtemporary refugee campsIraqis in JordanJordanAl QaedaIraqis in SyriaembassiesNouri al-MalikiLebanonBeirutnon-refoulementSwedenThird country resettlementUnited NationsresettleRefugees InternationalEdward M. KennedyDepartment of Homeland SecurityembassyAustraliaKirk W. JohnsonMinorities in IraqAssyrian exodus from IraqAssyriansArmeniansChristiansMandaeansgnosticUS-led invasionBaghdadPalestinians in IraqYazidiabducted and shot 23 Yazidisseries of bombingsGenevaHuman Rights WatchWorld Health OrganizationDamascus, SyriaInternational Committee of the Red CrossRed CrescentArab diasporaCivil war in IraqEthnic cleansingHuman rights in IraqHuman rights in the Middle EastHuman rights in post-invasion IraqIraqi diasporaIraqi Refugee Camp, West AzerbaijanKurdish CinemaReligious warSectarianismUrban refugeeChatty, DawnWayback MachineSeattle Post-IntelligencerBBC NewsThe AustralianThe New York TimesUSA TodayCanadaDetroitIsraelSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesBaghdadi JewsEuropeDenmarkFinlandGermanyGreeceNetherlandsNorwayUnited KingdomNew ZealandPrelude17 July Revolution